Islamabad - The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has attributed its spring tree plantation drive-2015 titled “Green Islamabad Campaign” to the martyrs of Army Public School (APS), Peshawar.
This was announced by the Chairman CDA Maroof Afzal on the occasion of inaugural ceremony of the campaign here at Sector D-12 on Thursday. Member Environment Syed Mustafain Kazmi, senior officers and officials of CDA, senior citizens, representatives of sector citizens committees, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), traders, Islamabad Horticulture Society, National Horticulture Society, Pakistan Boys Scout, and Pakistan Girls Guide, and students of different schools, colleges and universities actively participated in the event.
The inaugural ceremony was also attended by many celebrities and dignitaries including Saqlain Mushtaq, renowned off spinner and former cricketer, Kanwal Naseer and Laila Zuberi, and Director General Environment Protection Agency Dr Khursheed.
Speaking on the occasion, Maroof Afzal said, “Tree plantation is our national as well as religious responsibility but the most important factor is to take care of the plants to ensure their maximum survival so these can add to the beauty of the environment.” He said that CDA has decided to provide tree plantation spaces to the schools of Islamabad and each planted plant would be named after a family or student so that people pay regular visits to these sites to ensure their survival.
He said that CDA has decided to include the students in its tree plantation drive so that being the future of the nation they should be aware of the importance of trees in our life.
Maroof Afzal said that CDA has also established 10 free sapling distribution points where residents would not only be provided with free of cost plant saplings but would also be imparted with knowledge how to take care of these planted saplings.
The chairman CDA said that the active participation of the children in this tree plantation campaign further highlights the importance of the environment as they are the true catalyst of change who would reinforce the efforts of the stakeholders for the conservation and preservation of the environment and further beautifying it.
Strict monitoring should be carried out to ensure maximum survival of the planted saplings, he said adding that protection of planted saplings during this drive should be taken as challenge by both CDA and the residents of the federal capital so that this drive could be turned into success, said that chairman CDA. He said that during the ongoing tree plantation drive, focus would be given to seasonal fruit plants and other plants for beautification purpose, adding that these saplings would be planted at major avenues, parks and service roads. He said that due care of the plants would be taken as per scientific standards to ensure maximum survival rate.
On this occasion Member Environment, Syed Mustafain Kazmi said that CDA has been given a target to plant 300,000 saplings but the authority decided to plant 500,000 saplings which would be planted across Islamabad in collaboration with other organisations.
He further said that CDA has also launched a comprehensive awareness campaign, adding that banners, streamers and other publicity material have been displayed across the capital city to highlight the importance of plantation and trees to make Islamabad more beautiful and green.
On this occasion stalls of different species of plants, flowers and agro tools were also established. The chairman CDA visited the stalls and appreciated the efforts of different organizations for betterment of environment.